Many bachelors give little thought to creating a polished living space.
Some may be content with their oversized flat screen TVs and hodgepodge
furnishings. Others opt for a minimalist aesthetic, uncertain about how
to decorate without the frill.
But, a good-looking and masculine apartment is easy to achieve,
according to style guru Kyle Schuneman. His new guide, The First
Apartment Book: Cool Design for Small Spaces, hit shelves earlier this
year. If you’ve taken the first steps by putting that patio furniture
outdoors where it belongs and taking those sheets off the windows, you
are ready for Schuneman’s advice. He can help you transform an aimless
bachelor pad into a comfortable, stylish place to live.
Define your style
The thought of undertaking a decorating project can be overwhelming for
anyone, but it may be more so for men who have never even considered
designing a new look. The irony, Schuneman said, is that men know when
they feel comfortable in a room. They just have no idea where to start a
design overhaul.
“A lot of my clients can show me a photo of what they like as an end
product, but they don’t understand how to get there,” he said. “With
guys, especially, I try to ask them or meet them in their favorite bar,
restaurant or hotel to get a sense of why they like the space.”
Often, Schuneman said, men do not realize the design of their favorite
hangout is why they are attracted to the space and what makes them happy
being there. Think about where you feel comfortable and relaxed, he
said. What are the characteristics of the surroundings? Pull inspiration
from the design elements to get a better idea of what sort of things
you can incorporate into your apartment to make it reflect that style.
You can also ask yourself, “What’s my favorite landscape or vacation
spot?” If it is the beach or the desert, those are two distinct
feelings. Schuneman said it’s about knowing what you like to be
surrounded by.
Pump up the right color
Color can transform any apartment from a sterile beige box into a
refined and welcoming space. Painting the walls colors like charcoal,
slate and taupe is a cheap way to create a dramatic and dapper
atmosphere, Schuneman said. Neutral colors like taupes and grays are
also reminiscent of a factory or a loft, which are both considered
iconic masculine environments, he said.
Not all property owners, however, will allow residents to paint. Some
only allow it if you promise to return it to the original color when
your lease is up. Ask the rules before you head to the paint store.
If your landlord forbids wall paint, do not fret. Colorful accessories,
such as pillows, throws and art, can infuse the space with these
masculine hues, and you can still add color via furniture and tables.
Layer on textures
Thanks, in large part, to the revival of the mid-century Mad Men
aesthetic, Schuneman said menswear has become a big influence in design.
It has opened up design to a world of fabrics beyond florals. From
couches to drapes and throw pillows, menswear prints like herringbone,
plaid and pinstripes can be found in a variety of décor essentials. And,
much like their timeless clothing counterparts, which predominantly
reflect men’s suit, these prints will never be out of style.
Likewise, heavy textures like leathers, wools and metals enrich a space
without making it feel feminine. “Get a great wool sofa and layer it
with some cowhide and leather pillows for a rich feel,” he said. “Choose
an industrial coffee table and maybe some great Danish wood chairs to
flank it.
“By being mindful of layering textures and not just colors or patterns,
you can create a really harmonious room that is still very interesting.”
Express with big art
Graphic, clean and bold are the principles of masculine design. When you
can find all of those in a piece of art you like, it’s a design
win-win. Schuneman loves vintage signs for adoring bachelor pads,
especially apartments with large, empty white walls.
“I think you can really go oversized with these in a space and play with
scale to make a statement. Art doesn’t have to match the rest of the
room. It can stand out,” he said.
Another design trick is to lean an oversized mirror or a giant canvas
with a great forest landscape or another favorite vista on a bare wall
for an instant masculine design, according to Schuneman. “If you have
bare walls, getting a large piece of art will really make a statement.”
Don’t mistake old with nostalgic
There is nothing wrong with layering the old with the new. In fact,
doing so is a great design trick. Recycling an old locker room bench as a
coffee table and pairing it with a classic Eames seating group not only
honors the past, but it is a great conversation starter.
When it comes to rethinking your bachelor pad, however, it might be time
to toss that ratty recliner you love. Keeping it undermines what
Schuneman would love all of us to achieve in designing our spaces.
That’s creating living spaces that we not only want to use, but
preserve.
“Your space should be something that you interact with and take care of.
So holding on to a chair that is in disrepair and isn’t treated well
will start spilling into other areas of the room and soon to the rest of
the apartment,” he said. “There should be a mutual respect in design.”

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